BA to restart Baghdad service
LONDON (AP) -- British Airways said Sunday it will resume flights from London to Baghdad as soon as it is assured by the British government that Iraq is stable.
The airline canceled its service between the two capitals shortly before the 1991 Gulf War.
Rod Eddington, British Airways' chief executive, said the airline has been in discussions with the British government about providing relief flights and resuming scheduled services to Baghdad. "We have a long history of flying to Iraq and are keen to re-establish regular services as soon as political stability and security return to the country," said Eddington. "We have the rights to fly to Iraq and we are now awaiting confirmation from the British government that it is safe to return."
The airline plans to operate a Boeing 767 three times a week from London's Heathrow Airport to Baghdad.
British Airways first suspended flights to Baghdad during the Iran-Iraq war. The service resumed in November 1988 but was halted again in February 1990.